Which place is cheaper, Arequipa or Cusco?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Cusco or Arequipa?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Cusco or Arequipa, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Cusco or Arequipa?
Cusco
Cusco is most famous as the historic capital of the Inca Empire. It is in the southern Sierras and is one of the most popular travel destinations within Peru. The city is located at 3,400 meters above sea level so it is best to acclimate yourself slowly to avoid altitude sickness.
Cusco is the starting point for many travelers making their way to the famed Machu Picchu or other Inca sites in the surrounding area.
The city is very beautiful and has impressive architecture throughout. The history is obvious as you walk around town and there are impressive ruins nearby, with the most impressive being Sacsayhuaman. The city also has a significant indigenous population that is obvious from their traditional clothing and style.
Cusco has a subtropical highland climate with a pleasant daytime temperature year around. There are two distinct seasons with the dry season being between May and August and the wet season between December and March. During the dry season there is plenty of sun with occasional nighttime freezes. Frost is less common in the wet season.
Arequipa
Sitting in the middle of the Misti, Chachani and PichuPichu volcanoes of Peru is the enchanting city of Arequipa. With 468 years of history, the city is full of Spanish colonial architecture. Known to locals as the "white city," the city center, Plaza de Armas, is quite the sight with buildings of sillar white stone made from the rocks of the surrounding volcanoes.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Cusco, The Best 3-Day Tours from Cusco, The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Peru, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Peru.
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Cusco Prices
Peru PricesArequipa Prices
Peru Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayCusco $66Arequipa $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Cusco is $66, while the average daily cost in Arequipa is $62. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Cusco and Arequipa in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personCusco $25Arequipa $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomCusco $50Arequipa $50
Compare Hotels in Cusco and Arequipa
Looking for a hotel in Cusco or Arequipa? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Cusco Hotel Prices and Arequipa Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Cusco $11Arequipa $6.56
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cusco
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cusco:
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Taxi Ride$1.18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cusco
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cusco:
- Airport Transfer (Private Service): $25
- Airport Transfer from Juliaca to Puno: $59
- Cusco Airport Arrival or Departure Transfer: $19
- Cusco Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Pick-Up (Private Transfer to your Cusco Hotel).: $23
- Cusco Airport Pickup and Private Transfer: $15
- Cusco Airport Shared Arrival Transfer: $9.50
- Cusco Airport Transfer: Private Taxi, Van & SUV: $24
- Cusco Airport to hotel Transfer: Fast, Reliable Drop-Off: $12
- Cusco Private Airport Transfer Arrival Departure or Round Trip: $15
- Cusco to Puno Direct Bus Transfer: $37
- Alpaca and Llama Farm Tour with Transfer & Weaving Demo: $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Arequipa are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$1.48
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Bus Ride$0.47
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Taxi Ride$1.03
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arequipa
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Arequipa:
- Private Transfer from Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón Airport to Hotel: $20
- Arequipa Airport Departure Transfer: $22
- Arequipa Airport (AQP) Private Transfer to Arequipa City: $23
- Private Transfer from Arequipa Airport to hotels: $30
- Arequipa Bus Station Arrival Transfer: $37
- Arequipa Bus Station Departure Transfer: $37
- Private Transfer from Arequipa to Alfredo Rodríguez Ballón (AQP) Airport: $37
- Arequipa Airport Private Transfer: $38
- Full Day Tour to Colca including Transfer to Puno: $60
- Colca Canyon Day Trip with Transfer to Puno: $65
- Koh Lanta any hotel to Krabi airport Private transfer: $80
- Colca Canyon 2 days from Arequipa with final transfer to Puno: $85
Is it cheaper to fly into Cusco or Arequipa?
Prices for flights to both Arequipa and Cusco change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayCusco $25Arequipa $26
Typical Food Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of dining costs in Cusco are as follows:
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Sandwich$2.36
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Mango$0.59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cusco
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cusco.
- Short Peruvian Cooking Class by Pete: $30
- Bilingual Cooking Class with Pisco Cocktail in Cusco: $40
- Market-to-Table Peruvian Cooking Class and Cocktail in Cusco: $52
- Cusco Cooking Class by ChocoMuseo in Cusco: $54
- Cusco Cooking Class Adventure: $55
- Cooking Class in Sacred Valley 8 Recipes and Drinks: $55
- Traditional Peruvian Cooking Class and Market Tour in Cusco: $57
- Short Immersion Cooking Class: $60
- Cusco Food Tour: Andean Cuisine & City Tour: $63
- Peruvian Cooking Class Cocktails and Market Tour in Cusco: $65
- Cusco Cooking Classes and San Pedro Market Tour: $65
- Cusco Street Food Tour and Pisco Tasting Experience: $69
Typical Food Prices in Arequipa
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Arequipa:
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Coke$0.44
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Lunch$3.10
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Ice Cream$1.18
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Fruit$0.89
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Ice Cream$1.03
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arequipa
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Arequipa.
- Peruvian Cooking Experience in Arequipa: $35
- Cooking Class at La Plantation: $36
- Peruvian Cooking Class in arequipa: $50
- Peruvian Cooking Class: $63
- Arequipa : Food Tour and History (3 Restaurants and Market): $69
- Arequipa Food Tour: Ancestral Cuisine & City Tour: $79
- A 3-hour Guided Food Tour with 4 Iconic Restaurants of Arequipa: $79
- Arequipa Food Tour Experience: $115
- Food Tour Gastronomic Guided: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Cusco $32Arequipa $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Cusco
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Cusco are as follows:
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Salsa Class$2.96
Tours and Activities in Cusco
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Cusco are as follows:
- Free Walking tour in Cusco: $5.00
- Half Day Walking Tour of Cusco: $5.00
- Half Day City Tour in Cusco: $9.60
- Cusco Walking tour and Koricancha Temple of the inkas tour: $10
- City Tour - Cusco: $10
- Half-Day Cusco City Tour – Explore History, Culture & Inca Ruins: $12
- City Tour - Lugares destacado en Cusco + Experiencia Fotográfica: $12
- City Tour Cusco: $12
- City Tour in Cusco with visit South American camelids: $12
- Tour Valle Sur Typon, Pikillacta and Andahuaylillas: $13
- City tour in Cusco.: $14
- City Tour Half Day Tour with Sacsayhuaman and Q’enqo: $15
Typical Entertainment Prices in Arequipa
Here are a few typical costs in Arequipa for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Monastery Entry$2.96
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Salsa Class$2.96
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Movie Ticket$3.22
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Hot Springs$2.96
Tours and Activities in Arequipa
Here are a few actual costs in Arequipa for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Route of the Sillar 4-Hour Tour: $10
- Arequipa Walking Tour city center and drinks experience: $10
- Tour to La Ruta del Sillar and Culesbrillas in Arequipa: $15
- Chili River White Water Rafting Adventure with Pickup: $18
- Countryside Tour Arequipa: $18
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Tour Culture and Nature in Arequipa: $19
- Arequipa Rafting adventure on the Chili river with pick-up: $20
- City Tour Arequipa: $20
- Koh Rong Tour: A Snorkeling, Fishing, Sunset, Plankton: $20
- Añashuayco Quarries and Sillar Route Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Sillar Route and Culebrillas Gorge Tour from Arequipa: $25
- Arequipa Panoramic bus tour: $25
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayCusco $10Arequipa $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Cusco
Also in Cusco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Cusco Pub Crawl: Bar Tour, Drinks And Club with no waiting lines: $23
- Lima: Ballestas Islands, Wine Tasting, & Huacachina Tour: $115
Typical Alcohol Prices in Arequipa
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Arequipa are as follows:
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Beer$2.66
When comparing the travel costs between Cusco and Arequipa, we can see that Cusco is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in South America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cusco Expensive? and Is Arequipa Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Cusco or Arequipa?
Arequipa has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Cusco. When comparing the sizes of Cusco and Arequipa, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.